Description
The Little Giant That Changed My Mind About Short Smokes
I’ll be honest – I was skeptical about the Cohiba Maduro 5 Secretos when I first picked one up at a tobacco shop in Geneva back in March 2019. Here’s this tiny little cigar, barely longer than my palm, sitting next to these majestic Churchills and Robustos, and the shopkeeper is telling me it’s one of the most complex smokes in their humidor. At nearly forty Swiss francs for something I could finish in twenty minutes? Come on.
But man, was I wrong. The Secretos Cohiba proved me completely wrong – this secretos maduro experience rivals even the legendary cohiba behike in terms of concentrated flavor.
That evening, sitting on the terrace overlooking Lake Geneva with a glass of aged rum, this little powerhouse completely redefined what I thought a petit corona could deliver. The Secretos doesn’t just punch above its weight class – it obliterates it.
| Length | Ring Gauge | Strength | Time | Wrapper |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4⅜” | 40 | Medium-Full | 20-45min | Cuban Maduro (5yr aged) |
A Dark Beauty with Serious Construction
The first thing that strikes you about the Secretos is that gorgeous dark wrapper. We’re talking about a maduro leaf that’s been aged and fermented for a minimum of five years – you can see the difference immediately. It’s not just brown; it’s this rich, almost chocolatey color with an oily sheen that catches the light beautifully.
The construction is flawless, which you’d expect from the master torcedores at El Laguito factory. The cap cuts cleanly, the draw is perfect – not too tight, not too loose – and the burn line stays razor-straight throughout the smoke. These aren’t machine-made; every single one is hand-rolled using long-filler Cuban tobacco from the legendary Vuelta Abajo region.
The pre-light aroma? Pure heaven. Cedar, coffee beans, and this underlying sweetness that hints at what’s coming.
A Flavor Journey in Three Acts
The Opening Notes
Here’s where the Cohiba Secretos really shines. Despite its small size, this cigar delivers a full-bodied smoke with a complete flavor evolution that many larger cigars struggle to achieve.
The first third hits you with rich, creamy chocolate notes paired with dark fruits – think cherry and plum. There’s this immediate sweetness that’s balanced perfectly by earthy undertones. It’s intense but refined, complex but approachable.
As you move into the middle section, coffee and almond flavors start emerging. The sweetness transitions into more caramel notes, while spice begins building in the background. The smoke gets creamier, fuller, and honestly more satisfying than cigars twice its size.
The final third? That’s where the Secretos shows its true colors. The spice reaches its peak without overwhelming, the coffee notes deepen into espresso territory, and there’s this lingering finish that stays with you long after you’ve finished. It’s like comparing a rich espresso to regular filtered coffee – the intensity and depth are in completely different leagues.
Who Should Smoke This Cigar?
The Maduro 5 Secretos isn’t for everyone, and I mean that in the best possible way. This is a cigar for people who appreciate complexity over size, quality over quantity. If you’re someone who thinks bigger automatically means better, you might miss the point entirely.
It’s perfect for experienced smokers who want something substantial but don’t have an hour and a half to commit. Business lunches, quick evening smokes, or when you want to enjoy something special without the time commitment of a Churchill. The medium-to-full body means newer smokers should approach with respect – this isn’t a beginner’s cigar.
I’ve found the Cohiba is also excellent for converting people who think Cuban cigars are overhyped. The concentrated cuban maduro flavor profile showcases exactly why Cuban tobacco has such a legendary reputation.
Perfect Pairings and Storage
What drinks work best with the Secretos? I’ve experimented quite a bit here. Aged rum is fantastic – the sweetness complements those chocolate and caramel notes beautifully. A rich espresso creates an interesting echo with the coffee flavors. For whiskey lovers, try it with a smooth single malt; the complexity matches perfectly.
Don’t overlook wine pairings either. A full-bodied Malbec or aged Port can be absolutely sublime with this cigar.
Storage is crucial with these. The maduro wrapper is more delicate than regular wrappers, so maintain proper humidity levels in your humidor – around 65-70% relative humidity. Check out our cigar storage guide for detailed tips on keeping these beauties in perfect condition.
How Does the Secretos Maduro Compare?
Against other Cohiba formats, the Secretos holds its own remarkably well. It’s more intense than the cohiba siglo series, more accessible than the Behike line, and offers better value than the larger Maduro 5 formats if you’re looking for a shorter smoke. Cigar reviews consistently praise this vitola for delivering premium quality in a compact format.
Compared to other brands’ petit coronas, there’s really no contest. The five-year aged maduro wrapper alone puts it in a different category, but the overall construction and flavor complexity make it a standout in any collection.
The Bottom Line
Is the Cohiba Maduro 5 Secretos worth trying? Absolutely. Is it expensive for a small cigar? Yes. But here’s the thing – this isn’t about size or value in the traditional sense. It’s about experiencing what happens when master blenders create something truly special in a compact format.
If you’re curious about exploring premium Cuban cigars or want to understand what all the fuss is about regarding aged maduro wrappers, the Secretos is an excellent choice. For more guidance on getting the most from your smoking experience, check out our comprehensive smoking guide.
Every time I light one up, I’m reminded of that evening in Geneva and how completely this little cigar changed my perspective. Sometimes the best things really do come in small packages. Browse our selection and discover what makes the Maduro 5 Secretos such a remarkable smoke.
